Ford Truck Brake Problems

rbh

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

You only need it if you replace the (cant remember the Name) ABS valve block.

You can't remember, what kinda wrench puler are you!!!! ;):D :D

(oh YA thats the electrical side of thing's , "RIGHT", :facepalm:)
 

puddle jumper

Captain
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Jul 5, 2006
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3,830
Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

You can't remember, what kinda wrench puler are you!!!! ;):D :D

(oh YA thats the electrical side of thing's , "RIGHT", :facepalm:)

Some say a good one. Yes I have blond moment's to.:p
 

mrchev

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

Good idea mrchev, that would eliminate the ABS electronic system. Usually though a bad sensor, bearing or cracked ring would show up at normal braking, usually when you just come up to a stop.

DJ, you got me on that one. Never worked at a dealership before.

your right sstaz most of the time it is when coming to a stop.uasally those are cracked all the way threw, but i had one that had a hair line crack in it that would only show a problem on really hard braking.
 

sublauxation

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I appreciate the help, looks like I have a little diagnostic work cut out for me. The bleeders opened easily so with any luck so will the rubber hose ends (nocking on wood as I type). I'd guess logically I need to straighten out that issue first and hope it magically cures everything? I checked the parts store and they didn't stock the hose so it will be at least a couple days before I can get to it since it would probably good to have one on hand when I take it off. They have the caliper and master cylinder in stock.

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.
 

Tim Frank

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I have had this problem twice and both times it was the master cylinder. Old mechanic told me that the master is drawing in some air on return stroke and that was the cause.
Put new seals in one, second had more pits than i was prepared to try and hone out so I replaced it with a reman. unit.
Problem solved in each case.

Now both were Non-ABS systems FWIW.
 

avenger79

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

You can't open up, diagnose or bleed an ABS system without an IDS tool.
crap!! now that truck that I replaced all the pads, calipers, and rotors in and bled out two years ago needs to go to a shop and have ford tech redo what I've done. here I thought it was all good to go.

no ford tech needed to bleed the brakes on an ABS truck.

BTW ABS Valve will throw a code as well as wheel speed sensors. not sure about the actual pump though. I would be suspect that the one wheel has an air pocket in the caliper and probably isn't working 100 % if at all on a normal basis
 

bruceb58

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

You do not need an IDS tool to bleed most ABS systems. My Lexus manual describes that method as well but it is well known on all the car forums that is not the only way to do it.

Sounds like the master cylinder has failed to me.
 

wifisher

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

You do not need an IDS tool to bleed most ABS systems. My Lexus manual describes that method as well but it is well known on all the car forums that is not the only way to do it.

You are partially correct. You do not need a scanner to bleed an ABS brake system. However, you DO need a scanner to bleed the entire system correctly. If you replace a caliper, or line, no problem. Bleed as you normally would. If you get air into the actual ABS part of the system, a scanner is the ONLY way to do it.
 

j_martin

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

Redneck here.

Bugs or mud in one bleeder, no big deal.
Master cylinder internal check valve failing. Common problem.

Here's the redneck part. Get reman master cylinder. Bench bleed it. Install it. Then without starting the engine, gently step on the brake and release. count to 10. Do it about 6 - 10 times. If you got a little bubble of air in the lines near the master cylinder, that'll burp it back into the cylinder reservoir.

yer done.
 

sublauxation

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I'm all for redneck advice. I have the master, rubber hose and a caliper in hand, waiting for Memorial Day weekend to rip into. If I have to replace the master I'll give her a dozen burps, more has to be better right!

The bleeder was actually clean, I took it all the way out and it still didn't push fluid or even air at first, that's why I'm hoping to get lucky with a hose or caliper.
 

mrchev

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I'm all for redneck advice. I have the master, rubber hose and a caliper in hand, waiting for Memorial Day weekend to rip into. If I have to replace the master I'll give her a dozen burps, more has to be better right!

The bleeder was actually clean, I took it all the way out and it still didn't push fluid or even air at first, that's why I'm hoping to get lucky with a hose or caliper.
when you pushed with the bleeder out did you have a hard time pushing the pedal? sound like the flex line or caliper is blocked.start there firstas i described in one of my earlier posts. once you get fluid to flow then the pedal should drop each time you open the bleeder.then try it and see if it still goes to the floor. if it still does disable the abs and re road test. if still a problem, then it doesn't have anything to do with the electronic side of the abs.try these thing first before the master. it may be a master not saying its not lets just get the rest of the brakes working first, and make sure its not electrical. if you have to change the master you want to bleed it on the bench,then install master and hook lines up. get someone to hold the pedal and crack the lines loose and see if you get air. do this a couple of times. cause you dont want to push air into the abs unit. cause then you might need a scanner!also look and see if there is bleeders on the side of the abs unit for bleeding. some have them and some don't. if so bleed them also. when done you should have a hard pedal with the engine not running. if its spongy then you still have air in the system. "one other important thing make sure not to get fluid on paint or the plastic grill, will ruin them. if you do rinse immediately with luke warm water"
 

jimr

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

We have to do an ABS bleed on most of the newer Fords at work when we do a brake job. For some reason they don't like to pump back up and bleed normally.
 

sublauxation

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

We have to do an ABS bleed on most of the newer Fords at work when we do a brake job. For some reason they don't like to pump back up and bleed normally.

When you say they don't bleed normally, what do they usually do? Were they drivable? I was hoping to do this over Memorial day but if there's a chance I'll need a scanner that may be bad timing.
 

sublauxation

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

when you pushed with the bleeder out did you have a hard time pushing the pedal? sound like the flex line or caliper is blocked.start there firstas i described in one of my earlier posts. once you get fluid to flow then the pedal should drop each time you open the bleeder.then try it and see if it still goes to the floor. if it still does disable the abs and re road test. if still a problem, then it doesn't have anything to do with the electronic side of the abs.try these thing first before the master. it may be a master not saying its not lets just get the rest of the brakes working first, and make sure its not electrical. if you have to change the master you want to bleed it on the bench,then install master and hook lines up. get someone to hold the pedal and crack the lines loose and see if you get air. do this a couple of times. cause you dont want to push air into the abs unit. cause then you might need a scanner!also look and see if there is bleeders on the side of the abs unit for bleeding. some have them and some don't. if so bleed them also. when done you should have a hard pedal with the engine not running. if its spongy then you still have air in the system. "one other important thing make sure not to get fluid on paint or the plastic grill, will ruin them. if you do rinse immediately with luke warm water"

When I took the bleeder out it took some work to get anything out at all. I plan to follow your order and hoping it doesn't come to the master, hoping it's a problem with the rubber hose. If I disable the ABS I'd assume it's plenty safe to drive? Towards the end when you say "have someone gold the pedal and crack the lines to check for air," do you mean at the master cylinder?
 

jimr

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

ours will have a soft pedal, brake light comes on. Not all of them will do it but seems like more and more are.
 

mrchev

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

When I took the bleeder out it took some work to get anything out at all. I plan to follow your order and hoping it doesn't come to the master, hoping it's a problem with the rubber hose. If I disable the ABS I'd assume it's plenty safe to drive? Towards the end when you say "have someone gold the pedal and crack the lines to check for air," do you mean at the master cylinder?

yes if you unhook the abs relay it is the same as normal non abs vehicle. the crack the lines and check for air is part of the procedure if you have to change the master.
 

avenger79

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I'm all for redneck advice. I have the master, rubber hose and a caliper in hand, waiting for Memorial Day weekend to rip into. If I have to replace the master I'll give her a dozen burps, more has to be better right!

being a true redneck that must mean you want to have a burping contest with your truck doesn't it?

seriously if the other calipers bleed easily but one doesn't, I would think to look very hard at the one suspect corner before taking apart a whole system. look for the easiest solution first. as i said above I have the exact same drivetrain as you. all four corners bleed easily. slight crack of the bleeder screw at any corner and immed flow. if I was going to try a fix by replacing something it would be the caliper long before the master cylinder. just me though. keep us informed.
 

sw33ttooth

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

had this problem with a 95 chevy 1/2 ton peddle goes to floor and you gota pump it a few times its master cylinder. few months of dealing with that peddle got so hard i couldnt push it down and manually dropd gears to stop my self to get home and park it till i could fix.
 

sublauxation

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

Thanks to all who've helped, figured I'd give an update.

Well I bled 2 pints through the system and all calipers bled normally with no problems. Checked the hoses all really well and they seemed fine, replaced all the pads and wear was consistent side to side.

I did the burping and got some air out through the master cylinder. After the test drive it still did the same thing. But even with the pedal falling to the floor the brakes hold well enough that when my dad did the test drive with me as passenger I almost flew off the seat.

I went to replace the master and turns out the one they gave me was wrong and nobody in a 20 mile radius had the right one....3 dealerships and 10 parts stores. I'm debating about taking it to a dealer and having them do a full bleed, including the ABS, to see what happens
 

bruceb58

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Re: Ford Truck Brake Problems

I'm debating about taking it to a dealer and having them do a full bleed, including the ABS, to see what happens
Brakes falling to the floor means a failed master cylinder. No amount of bleeding is going to stop that from occurring.
 
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